Ball Square Breakfast

There are three possibilities for breakfast in Ball Square- SoundBites, Kelly's Diner and Ball Square Cafe. I finally managed to visit each one, and here are my findings:

Kelly's just didn't do it for me- the food was just not good enough, the wait was too long, the space was cramped, and I encountered some of the rudest ladies in Boston here (not the service- the customers). SoundBites was alright, but it is such a frenzied atmosphere because there is always a long wait for a table. Also, I realize that there is some kind of back story between BSC and SoundBites, but the menu is almost identical! Unfortunately for SB, the food just isn't as good.BSC is consistently good and friendly- and there is never a very long wait. They also let you choose between the "special" mashed potato side dish or home fries, which SB does not offer. Overall, BSC is just better. The food tastes fresher, the coffee is better and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.

Yassir's "breakfast nazi" schtick used to amuse me, until I went to Ball Square Cafe and found everyone to be, you know, nice. Amazing how quickly I got tired of the schtick.

Even setting aside wait times and general vibe, I think that in terms of food quality, SB and BSC leave Kelly's in the dust, and I also think BSC edges SB. And while this isn't the place to get into it, you're correct that the similar SB and BSC menus are anything but an accident.

All of this being said, if I didn't live nearby, I wouldn't drive across town for any of the three. SB and BSC pass my could-I-easily-have-cooked-a-better-breakfast-at-home test due to their massive heaps of tasty fresh fruit (all the varieties would be a pain to prep at home), but beyond that, it's pretty standard issue egg 'n' griddle fare. Done well, to be sure, but still standard issue.

I have been in the new Sound Bites a couple of times, with a line, and also have noticed that Yassir has toned it down a lot. Just goes to show that it really was about the line, not some power-trip. He seemed downright happy when I was there a few weeks ago. The only times I've seen him really grouchy lately are when someone from the BSC/Vinny's complex comes over to harass him (real or imagined).

I've been to Sound Bites a half-dozen times (granted, during off-peak hours) for breakfast and never seen Yassir be anything but eccentric and friendly. He always asks me to come back for dinner, pats me on the back, etc. Last time I was there, he was giving all the diners little plates of fresh fruit for free.

However, I've also seen him downright screaming at the guys from BSC outside the restaurant when they try to actively pull people away from Sound Bites.

Oh, the schtick is alive. I've been a loyal Sound Bites patron since 2001 when I lived just around the corner. I hadn't ever had the "wrath" inflicted upon me until this past weekend when I took a friend there for breakfast. I'd been to breakfast in the new location a few times, and was not impressed- the service was lousy, and breakfast now seems to be an all-morning affair. I assumed that they were just getting the kinks out, having a new kitchen and some new staff.

This weekend I queued up outside the new space with some others, the usual routine. Now, in the Good Ole Days, you would queue and a staff member would come out to see what size parties were waiting, and as soon as a table turned over they'd seat you. It worked out very well. Monday we queued normally, in line behind a couple of large parties 5, 10, 15 mins pass. Nobody comes out to even have a look-see. While we're waiting, we notice that a couple of groups of two go right in, and never come back out. Presumably they have been seated. Hmm. From where we're standing, we can see a couple of empty seats at the bar. We watch, and another 10 mins goes without them being filled. So methinks perhaps the system has changed at Sound Bites. Perhaps one has to put their name in or something, and everyone knows this but me. So I go in. A big sign says "Seat Yourself" but I wait for the hostess to come back, and when I ask about the seats at the bar she looks at me blankly and proceeds to seat another party of two- one who had waltzed in ahead of the line. When I point this out she seems indifferent. The two seats at the bar remain open. When she returns I ask again about them. At this point, Yassir steps up and starts yelling about how the hostess "that I pay 15 dollars an hour to seat people" will seat us when something opens up. I point to the bar seats. He shrugs arrogantly and continues to have a little mini tantrum about how there is a hostess and that she'll deal. So there are two problems here: a hostess who is either too stupid to let customers do her work for her, or to unhappy to care; and an owner who shoots himself in the foot because he's too proud now to do anything to facilitate the smooth operation of his own restaraunt.

Sorry Sound Bites. Sorry, Yasser. Yasser, you've known me as a customer for 8 years now, even waving and saying hello when you pass me in your car on the street. I've brought friends, family, and people new to town to Sound Bites. We've had some good times... but enough is enough. I'm through with you. I no longer live in the neighborhood, and that was the last time that I go to Sound Bites. And the last time I try to bring anyone else there. Shame on you, seriously.

Is it possible he doesn't know of his reputation?? Seems obvious he knows and doesn't care.

Does Yasser need to improve his people skills which are notoriously bad, if patrons continually subject themselves to his wrath and continue to give him business regardless of the atmosphere he provides? It seems folks are willing to tolerate his rudeness for a plate of pancakes. No extra charge for the indigestion.

Could be tweetie. Obviously it's a little breakfast nazi-ish and let's hope that the ranting is the exception instead of the rule. As I've said, I've never been subjected to this kind of thing but I usually go on weekdays.

I have been going to Soundbites for years and although Yassir can be gruff I have never had any truly rude/bad experiences with him. (side note: I don't know him other than a recognition that he knows I go in there fairly regularly and I get a nod and a "how are you doing") But I feel a duty to continue to go to his place and not BSC. Just my stance on the issue.

And Kelly's does not stack up for me, although I will go in there from time to time when the Soundbites line is too much, but I can't seem to find anything that they do particularly well, just decent run of the mill breakfast food.

Urp. The one time I had corned beef hash at Kelly's it was VILE. I don't know if what I got is their standard, but this stuff was like Alpo. Really really bad, and made me resolve to never darken Kelly's door again.

Haven't been to Kelly's.SB and BSC are both pretty much the same to me - I go wherever the line is shorter. However, have to disagree with finlero - they are a bit higher level than I can cook at home - at least usually considering the condition I am in on weekend mornings. ;)